Trump Claims U.S. Halted Israeli Strikes on Lebanon
Key Developments:
- Washington claims it intervened to halt Israeli strikes in Lebanon following a ceasefire agreement.
- U.S. naval blockade targeting Iran remains active despite easing tensions around maritime routes.
- NATO declines operational involvement while regional diplomacy shifts toward Gulf-led coordination.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — April 18, 2026: U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington has intervened to stop further Israeli airstrikes inside Lebanon, marking a rare moment of public disagreement between the United States and its long-time regional ally amid escalating tensions across the Middle East.
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In a statement posted on social media, Trump declared: “Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!”
The remarks came shortly after a U.S.-supported ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect, halting weeks of cross-border hostilities that began after exchanges of fire involving Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly respond to Trump’s assertion but confirmed Israeli troops remain positioned in southern Lebanon due to ongoing security concerns. He stated, “There are things we plan to do regarding the remaining rocket threat and the drone threat, which I will not detail here.”
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Regional Tensions and Iran Dimension
While addressing the Lebanon situation, Trump emphasized that ongoing negotiations and tensions involving Iran remain separate from the ceasefire arrangements. The U.S. administration confirmed that a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime activity continues despite reports of renewed commercial movement through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Israel has continued to carry out strikes inside Lebanon against what it says are Hezbollah targets. (Reuters)
Trump wrote that the blockade would remain active “until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” underscoring Washington’s pressure strategy linked to nuclear and security concerns.
Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are intended solely for civilian energy purposes, while U.S. officials argue the measures are necessary to prevent potential weaponization.
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NATO and Gulf Diplomacy
The U.S. president also revealed that he declined offers of assistance from NATO, stating alliance involvement was unnecessary at this stage of the crisis. In contrast, Trump publicly thanked Gulf partners — including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar — for diplomatic cooperation during ongoing negotiations.
NATO members have signaled reluctance to participate in enforcement actions such as maritime blockades, indicating they may only engage once active hostilities conclude.
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